Part Sixty-Five: This.

            The treatments—chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation—were successful and are DONE.  “Now,” said my medical oncologist, “we trust God for the rest.”  Yes.  Yes. Yes. 

            Perhaps the best measure of the peace I felt at this quarterly follow-up appointment was my good blood pressure reading, the lowest it’s been at any of my appointments.  I did not mind the drive to Tulsa, nor did I mind getting my port flushed and blood drawn.  It’s only been two weeks since I finished radiation, and I am feeling much better as my skin heals. 

            That appointment was the first of two yesterday.  Back in Bartlesville, I had a hearing aid fitting.  Twelve years ago I was supposed to get hearing aids but never did because my insurance did not cover them.  Now that I have insurance covering eighty percent of the cost, I did.  My world has suddenly become noisier.  Besides hearing conversations better, I’m noticing so many little things are louder—everything from my car’s turn signal to the chirping birds outside.  And the dining room clock, which I thought was silent, ticks quietly.  When I took out the left hearing aid last night, sound suddenly stopped.  All those years I lived in a muffled world without even realizing it. I’m sure there will be more hearing surprises as the days go on.

            Cancer gone, hearing restored:  double blessings in my life.  It doesn’t get much better than this.